We are excited to announce that registration is open for the 25th Annual START Conference: Building on the Past and Designing the Future! START is pleased to offer both an in-person and virtual option for the 25th Annual START Conference. 

📅May 4, 2026
⌚8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
📍Lansing Center

The 25th Annual START Conference will feature Keynote Sessions from Shelley Moore, Ph.D., Elizabeth E. Biggs, Ph.D., and Mateo Moreno! We hope you will join us!

Each RCN should submit at least one RCN-provided stand-alone training per semester using START content delivered by Current EPLI Trainers of START Content. The training will be included in the events listed on the START website, and should be open to the RCN and the broader region, including families and community partners. Trainings should be submitted here.

The trainings will be posted here on the START website as they are received. Please share this with your local contacts. 

START has new Info Sheets available on important topics: 

We invite you to share these Info Sheets with your colleagues, families, and community partners. Additional topics will be coming soon. 

→ We highly encourage the RCN to distribute information about START's 2025-2026 Trainings and Training Series to staff, community members, and families across your region. 

START has developed flyers, images, and slides for the RCN to use and disseminate. 

Comprehensive Communication Supports and Strategies

📅Date: January 27, 2026 and February 10, 2026
⌚Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom

Learn the basics of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and how to support students with communication needs. This two-part virtual training offers simple strategies and tools to help students communicate in all settings. Educators, families, paraprofessionals, and support staff will all learn practical strategies to support communication together.

This training is co-sponsored by START and Alt+Shift.
Team participation is encouraged but not required.

Increasing Academic Engagement

📅Date: January 29, 2026
⌚Time: 8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. OR 4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Topic: Breaks in Inclusive Classrooms: Creating Universal Break Spaces and Practices (Elementary)

In this session, participants discover how to create and implement proactive break systems in inclusive elementary classrooms. Ideas for designing break spaces and routines that are available for all students will be shared.

FAPE in the LRE

📅Date: January 29, 2026
⌚Time: 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom

Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) is the foundation of special education. This interactive session helps all school staff-including all teachers, administrators, and support teams—understand what FAPE and LRE means and their role in supporting students with disabilities. Participants will engage in activities and use tools designed to strengthen their ability to support students with disabilities effectively.

25th Anniversary START Speaker Series

📅Date: February 6, 2026
⌚Time: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Location: Zoom
Presenter: Mandy J. Rispoli, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA
Title: Teaming with Paraprofessionals to Support Learners with Autism and Related Disabilities

Special education is a team endeavor, and paraprofessionals are an essential part of this team. Most paraprofessionals receive their training on the job, and often by the special education teacher. Unfortunately, most special education teachers were not taught how to supervise, coach, and collaborate with paraprofessionals during their training. The purpose of this webinar is to provide special education teachers and behavior analysts with knowledge and skills in supervising and coaching paraprofessionals to implement evidence-based practices with students with autism and other disabilities.

Increasing Academic Engagement

📅Date: February 12, 2026
⌚Time: 8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. OR 4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Topic: Classroom Transitions: Planning for Effective Transitions in the Classroom (K-12)

This session provides strategies for designing and planning predictable and accessible transitions within instruction. Learn how to minimize downtime, increase student autonomy, and strengthen routines for all students.

Preschool Life Skills (PLS) for All

📅Date: February 20, 2026
⌚Time: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Location: Zoom

Preschool Life Skills (PLS) is a research-based curriculum that provides a set of tools to help teach important social and life skills for school success. Studies show PLS increases positive social behaviors and reduces challenging behaviors for children with and without disabilities. In this session, educators and families will explore PLS tools and resources, including a set of lessons developed by Dr. Gregory Hanley, and a tour of the START Project Google site, so they can start using them right away.

The Statewide Autism Resources and Training (START) Project is funded by the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education and is housed in the Grand Valley State University (GVSU) Autism Education Center (AEC). 

START Project | autismed@gvsu.edu | (616) 331-6480